The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been commended for its interventions that helped in reducing gastroenteritis in the state, especially amongst children.

 

Gastroenteritis is a very common condition that causes diarrhoea and vomiting and is usually caused by a bacterial or viral tummy bug which affects people of all ages, but is particularly common in young children.

 

A health worker in Charge of the Primary Health Centre, Amansea Awka North Council Area , Mrs. Obi Testimony disclosed the reduction of the ailment in the state.

during the ongoing UNICEF medical outreach programme sponsored through Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF).

 

 

She said the mortality rate of babies suffering from diarrhea and vomiting had reduced following introduction of vaccines, sponsorship of outreaches, health talks, among others.

 

 

According to her, mortality rate of babies under one year has also reduced drastically due to introduction of oral vaccines for diarhea prevention among children.

 

Earlier, Local Immunization Officer, Awka North, Mrs. Gloria Okpete disclosed that the 5-day outreach would cover 10 Local Government Areas of the state ravaged by 2022 flood disaster.

 

She said scores of persons had attended the outreach programme within two days of the exercise which would cover 14 wards in the Area Council.